Smirk

Okay, so Kris Allen. I watched American Idol religiously this past season (as usual) and I NEVER thought in a million years that he would win. I kept hearing about Adam Lambert and how talented he was...blah blah blah. I ALWAYS adored kris (see his audition, how humble is he?!). He is super underrated and he deserved to win. Plus, is he not the cutest thing on this planet? You just want to squeeze his cute little cheeks :)

Now, I had repeatedly noticed the smirk he makes while singing. My mother and aunt and sisters have recently pointed out that this is particularly annoying. But I beg to differ. I find his side smirk utterly and unbearingly adorable. Did anyone else notice how he always shrugs his shoulders when he plays his guitar too? So cute.

Oh, not to mention when he sings...his voice gives me the chills. I sing. He sings. This would make us a perfect pair.

If only he were taller. ...

and not married.

Sigh.

Aw The Single Life!

Or is it AHHH THE SINGLE LIFE???
Not sure which reaction.
Alright, I know all of you bloggers (or most of you) don't even remember this thing called "single life" but I am caught in this storm of awkward dating.
Recently, I have been BANGING on the doors to get me out of these pity dates. Some of them are quite pleasant, but so far I keep swinging and missing. (these are all metaphors if you don't understand....just go with it here please)
While on this date about a month back I found myself daydreaming. Yes. This date was so horrible, I was daydreaming. Call me a terrible date, but believe me if you were caught in this situation-you would to. Well, to continue on I was daydreaming about my niece Portia and my nephew Palmer and my future niece (at the time) Brizban.
You heard me. I was daydreaming about how cute and perfect my fill in the blank children were.

Needless to say, I have been holding Baby Brizzy all the time the past few days, and it makes me sooo excited for my family. I have been missing Palmer and Portia like CRAZY since I've been home. So once again, I am caught vicariously living through my older sisters and their children until that Prince Charming comes and sweeps me off my feet. I'll be a handful though, let's see...any guys up for challenge?! :) yikes.


Portia. Age 2. As you can see, she was EXCITED to be potty trained. Usually she would sit on the toilet for hours on end singing to herself. She's a handful just like her auntie. But if I was as cute as that, I think my single life would be a bit more successful :)




I don't even need to explain this picture.



Palmer. Will be 4 in June. Palmer was supposed to be asleep one night when I walked in and I saw stickers all over his face. I fell on the ground laughing. Ha. This still makes me laugh when I look at it. He's the smartest 3 year old I know, he reads to me. He actually corrected me on a word once.



Who wouldn't love this?



Watching tv means focusing. Duh.



She's just so precious while sleeping. :)



Just makes you want one huh? Oh wait, most of you do. Ugh.


Okay, so I know I'm a little biased. But are those NOT the cutest kids you've ever seen? I nanny for two families right now. And yes they're cute, but not like those kids. Hello, these three have MY blood. No big.
K that's all. That's my showing off and my venting time. Have a great day :)

The Fetus Is Born. Yay!

Considering I don't have any children (and I like to think I have a few more years) I have noticed that I vicariously live through my older sisters who keep popping the children out. And since I'm a single young female (isn't that a song?) I'll post and brag about my nieces and nephews on here. Deal with it.
Last week on April 30, 2009 my sister Lexie had her first. Her "fetus" as she liked to call it, made it out into this world safely, but not easily. Little girl named Brizban Jean Cottle is a feisty one, but hey she's an Ainge. Unfortunately (or fortunately? After hearing the stories...) I wasn't there for the actual birth. But considering my own father was in the room, I like to think that was enough... Especially considering Lexie did AU NATURAL. Goodness--after the horror stories, I'm saying give me the drugs ASAP! Anywho. I present to you my newest niece. She's pretty darn cute if you ask me :)



Sleeping with her daddy and my brother in law, Nick. Aw :)


She falls asleep while eating. I can't even imagine doing that. You can see her blonde hair in this one!!


Let's just say she has Nick's fingers and toes. Here she is throwing gang signs, uh oh. Let's hope she has Nick's body with those fingers. We all laugh at her because they are scary long. YIKES.


Chubby cheeks. Of course.



In the carseat on the way home from the hospital. She's so little!


With her FAVORITE Aunt...me!


With Mckenna!


With Nona!


This is my favorite!

Bittersweet

Oh Utah Valley. I am finishing up my last couple days of finals (which are KILLING me by the way! I didn't realize how bad at studying and tests I am until now) and I have been getting some mixed messages to stay here.

Utah was really hard for me to come to. I had a really negative outlook on things, but as I am leaving I have started to notice all the good things about this place.

Isn't that how it always seems to play out? Leaving somewhere is so bittersweet. I am soooo excited to go home to Good Ol Oregon, but I'm gonna miss all these mormons and these mountains for four months. I'm also going to miss the close friends I have learned so much about it and the things they have taught me. I'm also going to miss Palmer and Portia and Bri and Ronell. They always fed me and gave me something to smile out when I failed my tests or got in a petty fight with girls. A lot of growing up has occurred in this place! And hey, If I don't get a job or am absolutely dying in Oregon, I can always come back to Provo early. And plus, I'll be WAY excited to come back here in the fall! We all need a little break from places!

Til now, I march on through this hell of finals.
(Am I allowed to say that)?

A Spiritual Moment

Recently, I have been catching up on all the general conference talks online because I was sick and slept during conference (which I'm still very mad about!) But during institute today, my teacher showed this clip from Elder Holland's incredible talk. This video is posted on lds.org and was then moved to youtube. It has one of the highest rates of watching this past week. Elder Holland's talk was amazing in itself, but this message with the music and pictures almost brought tears to my eyes. I ask that you all watch this video and feel the wonderful spirit. How amazing that it is showing to people all over the country through youtube! Please show this video to anyone if you feel the need, it's an amazing missionary tool.




Or you can click on the link to watch it. Or you can go to lds.org and it's posted on the front page. Enjoy!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpFhS0dAduc

Benjamin Button.

Ooooh Benjamin Button, How I love you so.


Benjamin Button...Slash Brad Pitt. WHY ARE YOU SO HOT?! I can't take it anymore. I may have to admit it, I just like this movie because they make him look SO HOT. But hey, I'm an 18 year old girl. What do you exepect?





But seriously. Benjamin Button. SO GOOD.

My new favorite movie. It is absolutely fantastic! It recently came out in the dollar theatre and I can't even count how many times I drag people to go see it with me. Although, it is very long and some scenes could have easily been taken out--it has such a wonderful message. And it's SO INTERESTING. The acting is very good in it as well. If you haven't gone and seen it, run now! I cried like a baby. But I'm emotional, who would have thought?! :)

I have this obsession with quotes. No really, an obsession. Whenever I hear a good one, I have to find it on the internet at some point and write it down. So, being an avid blog reader of mine (as I know you all are)...I give to you some of the most amazing lifestory quotes from this movie. Sorry if I give anything away.



*Benjamin:I was thinking how nothing lasts, and what a shame that is.
Daisy: Some things last.

My thoughts: Sometimes we think life is moving too fast. We believe that when we finally have a grasp on things, and it slowly slips away. But the most important things in our lives DO LAST. The feeling of our first kiss, the love for our families, a hug. Those feelings can last. And if one truly believes and fights, they can hold onto those important feelings.


*Benjamin:Along the way you bump into people who make a dent on your life. Some people get struck by lightning. Some are born to sit by a river. Some have an ear for music. Some are artists. Some swim the English Channel. Some know buttons. Some know Shakespeare. Some are mothers. And some people can dance.

My thoughts: So often the Lord sends us angels to teach us a lesson, whether it be good or bad. I have come to learn that everyone who comes into your life is there to make your stronger.


*Benjamin: Your life is defined by its opportunities... even the ones you miss.

My thoughts: We miss oppurtunities. We'll get another chance. "That's all I have to say about that"--Thank you for Forrest Gump. (Another one of my favorite movies by the way)


*Benjamin: It's a funny thing about comin' home. Looks the same, smells the same, feels the same. You'll realize what's changed is you.

My thoughts: This one hits even closer to home (no pun intended). Because especially after Idaho, when I walked into my house after a long 12 hour roadtrip...I put my bags down, and just cried. So much growth and changings occurs while in college. And it's funny how much your perspective changes, not your home.


*Benjamin:For what it's worth: it's never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There's no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you're proud of. If you find that you're not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.

My thoughts: We can be WHOEVER we want to be. That is the beauty of this gift of life. We get to choose. And it's never too late to be that person. Ever.


*Mrs. Maple: Benjamin, we're meant to lose the people we love. How else would we know how important they are to us?

My thoughts: You never know what you have until it's gone. Death is a part of life. I have never admired my grandmother and cousin so much until after they passed.


*Benjamin/ Captain Mike: You can be as mad as a mad dog at the way things went. You could swear, curse the fates, but when it comes to the end, you have to let go.

My thoughts: Holding onto grudges, pain, heartache will only make it worse. Letting go is the strongest thing a person can do.


*Queeny:You never know what's comin' for ya.

My thoughts: Self explanatory. Watch out. The Lord will hit at any time :)


*Queeny: Everyone feels different about themselves one way or another, but we all goin' the same way.

My thoughts: We all think at some point in our lives that we are so "different" than everybody else. But in reality, we are all looking for one thing: to be accepted and loved. We are all going to die. We are all trying to survive happily.


*Daisy: We all end up in diapers.

My thoughts: SNL's "Oops I crapped my pants" comes to mind. This one's for my dad....haha


*Ngunda Oti: You'll see little man, plenty of times you be alone. You different like us, it's gonna be that way. But I tell you a little secret I find out. We know we alone. Fat people, skinny people, tall people, white people... they just as alone as us... but they scared shitless.

My thoughts: We are all lonely at some point. Some of us just admit it more :)


*Benjamin: Life can only be understood looking backward. It must be lived forward.

My thoughts: The old people know more. Easy as that. HA. We keep living until we become that more wise.


*Benjamin: Sometimes we’re on a collision course, and we just don’t know it. Whether it’s by accident or by design, there’s not a thing we can do about it.

My thoughts: In our struggles or "collision courses" we have to keep going. Get up in the morning, dust ourselves up and put a smile on our faces,


*Benjamin:I think, right there and then, she realized none of us is perfect forever.

My thoughts: I try to so hard to be perfect. And everyday I have to remind myself that NO ONE IS PERFECT. Everyone has imperfections. Some are just easier to see on the outside.


*Benjamin: But life being what it is — a series of intersecting lives and incidents, out of anyone's control

My thoughts: Amen?


*Queeny: Poor child, he got the worst of it. Come out white.

My thoughts: Right, Ronell? Yikes.


*Captain Mike: Don't let anyone tell you different! You got to do what you're meant to do!

My thoughts: Screw people, do you what you want to truly do.


*Benjamin: It's funny how sometimes the people we remember the least make the greatest impression

My thoughts: The people we say hi to on a bad day, only makes their better. You never know who's life you will influence. So Smile!



*Queeny: He’s a miracle, that's for certain..just not the kind of miracle one hopes to see.

My thoughts: We are all miraculous creatures. We do miraculous events one small thing at a time.




Thats my deep moment. I am now going to go outside because it is BEAUTIFUL outside. Even though i was just kicked out of King Henry Pool for my "midriff" while swimming. Unreal. Utah, you kill me.

over and out.

Chills.

Last night I went to the RACHAEL YAMAGATA & GREG LASWELL concert with Maria and Brock in Salt Lake City. I had never really heard Greg Laswell before and can I just tell you: I got the chills. His recordings don't do him justice at all. His voice is so pure and amazing. Rachael was quite amazing herself, but I already knew that before I went. She was hilarious. I'm pretty sure she was a bit buzzed before performing, but hey whatever works!

Before the concert we spent the day at Gateway Mall in Salt Lake. Maria and I got lots of enjoyment dragging Brock into Victoria Secret and the most feminine stores. He loved us for it. Maria found her favorite cookbook: skinny bitch in the kitch (SORRY MOM.) We died of laughter in Barnes of Noble. While I ALMOST peed my pants. We laughed and acted immature the entire day. What's new?

After standing in the freezing cold in my sundress and jesus shoes we finally got to see Rachael and Greg. Brock almost cried because he's in love with Rachael. We saved his masculinity though ;). But the concert: Like I said,

CHILLS.


Absolute amazingness. Go listen to them. It's very calm, relaxing music. So just a warning. Here are some pictures from our amazing adventure.

Rachael Yamagata. Sorry bout the blur. We only had one Camera and it was Maria's cheapo one from Walmart. Not the greatest quality. FAIL. hahaha jk love ya girl.

Greg Laswell singing. Mmmmm

Our emotions throughout the evening. Brock's typical face. Grump.

Definition of our friendship.

Brock bought these glasses after shopping in his obsession store: Urban. I was more obsessed with them then him.


Surprise face. Cop car was supposed to be in the background. Because Ria and I love cops. Perfect.

Best frenssss :)



YAY FOR MUSIC!!!!

Missing the Sun

attractive, yea? . You will pee your pants of laughter from this picture. At least you should. I peed it of fear.

So last week for spring break, I went to good ol CALIFORNIA. I used to have this against that place, but now I'm a huge fan.
Here's my goal: marry rich and live in thousand oaks California :)
okay? OKAY!!

So I met the padre and Mckenna and we went to Disneyland and Malibu (Zuma Beach). After the father left, Mac and I went to Six Flags. Considering I don't have a camera, I don't have any pictures from this trip. I know, I'm lame. BUT. There are pictures we bought from this ride X2. When I find a scanner (or if Mckenna ever gets to it) I will show you this priceless photograph.

This is how it went: I was standing in line FREAKING OUT. This ride, the X2 was one where you RIDE BACKWARDS. Yes, backwards!!! Halfway down the steep drop, they flip you. I was crying. If mckenna wasnt there, I wouldn't be able get the courage to go on this ride.

.

Same thing though right?

I'm missing the sun though. Anyone down for a road trip? Like now?

Thanks Mckenna and Dad for the amazing trip!

YIKES!

So don't get me wrong, there are many things I like about Utah.

And I tell myself to think positively every day.


UNTIL I see THE POOF. I don't get it! That poof shines (or doesnt shine) like a beacon on top of these girls heads. YIKES.





And when I hear:

"Oh my heck."
(Yes, they have t shirts for it now, too.)



BUT recently, I have found myself saying, "For sure." I SAY IT MORE THAN ANYONE NOW.

Oh and "For real." Also, "That's WAY funny."


I used to be so bothered by it, and now I have labeled myself as a hypocrite. Yes, you heard me. A HYPOCRITE. I say these phrases constantly now.


2 months in this place and I'm already conforming.
But hey, just with those phrases. Besides that, I stick out like a sore thumb here. Us Oregonians, gotta stand strong!!

(Don't hate me. But these phrases are growing on me. Except for "oh my heck" I can't seem to get to that one. The poof will never get me either. )

Please don't let me delve any deeper. PLEASE.

YIKES!!!!

Bad Day? Long Day?

No worries! WATCH THIS.

....just do it.



My friend Brock showed it to me. And I peed a little bit from laughter. If you're impatient, you can fast forward it a teensy bit.

Skip to the 1:00 minute mark, and prepare yourself at 2:45



if its hard to hear, here's the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clwTYL1rwJk

BUT. Don't you feel better just watching that? Doesn't it give you peace knowing that this woman isnt you?!
This could be very bad if this lady read my blog. I feel as though horrible, terrible, unimaginable things would happen. And I'm a little bit scared. But it's so worth it. If she ever hunted me down and saw me, she would probably sit on me, then put my hands behind my head and tickle my armpits to death...just like my sisters used to do to me. Thanks (mckenna and Lexie) for doing that by the way. So sweet.